Glendale CA vs Lexington KY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Glendale, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Glendale
192,270
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
41.4
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Foreign Born
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
Lexington
11.0%
White
Glendale
67.4%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Glendale
1.7%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Glendale
13.3%
Glendale +
Lexington
4.2%
Hispanic
Glendale
18.5%
Glendale +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,270 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.4 | 35.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 51.0% | 11.0% | Glendale + |
| White | 67.4% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 1.7% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 13.3% | 4.2% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 18.5% | 9.2% | Glendale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$84,262
Glendale +
Lexington
$67,631
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$46,597
Glendale +
Lexington
$42,272
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$77,230
Glendale +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
8.2%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Glendale
13.4%
Glendale +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
45.5%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,262 | $67,631 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,597 | $42,272 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $52,606 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | 15.7% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.5% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$1,205,826
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
35.3%
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,205,826 | $332,727 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.3% | 53.6% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
503
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2388
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
24.5%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
10.9%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.4%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
6.8%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.6%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.5%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
64.1°F
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
17.3 in
Glendale +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1°F | 55.6°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 45.2 in | Glendale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Glendale +
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
30.2 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $84,262, while lexington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $332,727. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Glendale. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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